Fairfield Inn Savannah Midtown

Hotel at a Glance: Fairfield Inn Savannah Midtown

Located 5 miles from downtown Savannah, Fairfield Inn Savannah Midtown is a great jumping-off point for exploring the historic city. It’s just a short drive from art galleries and handmade crafts at City Market, an open-air marketplace that’s been around since the 1700s. Be sure to take advantage of downtown Savannah’s free transit system, which includes shuttles, streetcars, and ferries to Hutchinson Island.

Hotel freebies include daily breakfast with make-your-own waffles and a nightly manager’s reception.

Cool off in the outdoor swimming pool, open seasonally.

Sidestep traffic by taking the CAT (Chatham Area Transit) Bus to downtown for $2.50 per person round trip.

Take a day trip to Tybee Island, a laid-back beach community 20 miles from the hotel.

Savannah, Georgia: Historical Mansions and a Lively River Walk

Founded in 1733 as Georgia's first town, Savannah is not only one of the most graceful cities in the South but also one the most historic. The old but well-preserved architecture landed it on _Forbes_’s 2011 list of America's Best Downtowns, and Travel + Leisure recently dubbed it one of the World's Best Cities for the way it "reveres its heritage.” You can see this in the city's 22 famous public squares, which play host to some famous landmarks, such as antebellum-era houses framed by moss-covered oak trees. Head to Oglethorpe Square to see the Owens-Thomas House, an English Regency–style mansion completed in 1819 that now serves as a museum; tours here depart from the original carriage house and go past its charming English-style parterre garden.

Another relic of Savannah's past, River Street curves for about a mile along Savannah River's south bank. The cobblestone walkways are lined with 100-year-old cotton warehouses that have been converted into antique shops, brewpubs, and galleries. Explore the riverfront in style aboard one of the Old Town sightseeing trolleys or during a horse-drawn carriage tour. Though the street is tamer than it was a few decades ago⎯when it was overrun with muscle cars and rowdy sailors⎯there's still plenty of energy here, with a lively pub scene and views of large ships lumbering toward the dock.

A short walk from City Hall will take you to the City Market, a four-block public meeting space on the edge of downtown. This section of Savannah’s sprawling historic district has established itself as one of the city's top destinations for entertainment and dining thanks to the many artists' studios, open-air restaurants, and taverns found here.